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Thursday, April 20, 2017

The DEA-led Denver OCDETF Strike Force, including the
Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA and the Aurora Police Department, today
arrested multiple defendants throughout Colorado and California on various drug
related charges, the Justice Department announced. The arrests were the result
of a one year investigation into the inner workings of a Mexican led drug
trafficking organization that brought drugs into the country through California
to Colorado. A federal grand jury in Denver earlier returned an indictment
charging 17 defendants for illegal drug trafficking conduct. The indictment
contains 45 counts, including an asset forfeiture allegation.

As a result of today’s operation, nine were arrested, with
one additional defendant already in custody. Seven are considered fugitives.

The defendants allegedly brought cocaine and methamphetamine
into the country from Mexico, transported it through California, into Colorado
in vehicles with secret compartments. The drugs were held at three stash
locations in Aurora, Colorado, and then brought to the El Rancho Market at
15401 East Mississippi in Aurora to be parceled out and distributed. The El
Rancho Market, in addition to sundries food and miscellaneous products, also
has a money transfer station, which is how some drug proceeds were distributed
from Colorado back to Mexico. Other methods of moving money included smuggling
bulk cash in vehicle secret compartments.

The lead defendant, Jose Tapia-Rubio, a/k/a “Don Chequetas”,
age 58, a resident of Aurora but from Mexico, has been charged with operating a
Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE), also known as a “Drug King Pin”. To be
charged with CCE, the defendant has to be in a leadership position while being
involved with a five or more individuals responsible for a series of drug
crimes, and that the drug trafficking continues resulting in substantial income
and resources. If convicted on this charge Tapia-Rubio faces not less than 20
years and up to life in federal prison, as well as a $2 million fine.

According to the indictment, between Feb. 1, 2016 through
April 15, Tapia-Rubio and the additional 16 defendants knowingly and
intentionally conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5
kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, and
500 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of
methamphetamine. For this count alone, each defendant faces not less than 10
years, and up to life in prison, as well as a $10 million fine. Each defendant
also faces a variety of other drug related charges with different prison
penalties.

As part of this investigation and takedown, the government
is seeking a $2 million money judgment as well as the seizure of two Aurora
properties used as stash houses, one located at 12091 East Arizona Avenue, and
the other located at 17994 East Utah Place, both in Aurora.

“We are committed to dismantling and removing the threat
posed by these criminal organizations flooding American communities with
dangerous narcotics,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “This organization
is alleged to have moved large amounts of meth and cocaine from Mexico to
Colorado, with devastating impact on communities in their wake. I want to
congratulate the outstanding federal, state, and local law enforcement
cooperation that resulted in this highly successful operation. Replicating this
kind of aggressive law enforcement take down is critical to breaking the backs
of these criminal organizations.”

“The stupidest thing a drug trafficker can do is bring his
dope business to Colorado,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer. “We have the
most sophisticated investigators, prosecutors, and partnerships you will find anywhere,
and we don't tolerate the poisoning of our people.”

“This criminal organization distributed cocaine and
methamphetamine throughout our communities, making themselves rich from the
suffering of others,” stated Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach of the Drug
Enforcement Administration’s Denver Field Division. “DEA takes great pride in
identifying and targeting these predatory organizations and works continually
to put them out of business, and to put their leaders in jail.”

“This operation was successful due to our positive and
established working relationships with our local, state, and federal law
enforcement partners,” said Aurora Chief of Police Ken Metz. “This
collaborative effort will help Aurora become even safer. Thank you to all the
officers involved.”

This case was investigated by the Denver Strike Force, which
includes the following agencies: DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation, the FBI, Internal Revenue
Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshal Service, West Metro Drug Task
Force, Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, Colorado Attorney General’s Office,
Colorado State Patrol and the Denver Police Department.

The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S.
Attorney Stephanie Podolak. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant
U.S. Attorney Tonya Andrews.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and
the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.